Colin Farrell, the star and executive producer of The Penguin, joined showrunner Lauren LeFranc and co-stars Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, Deirdre O’Connell, Michael Kelly, and Clancy Brown at New York Comic Con for a deep dive into the show’s mid-season developments. They previewed two exclusive clips from episode five, offering a glimpse into the intense character dynamics and gritty world of Gotham’s criminal underbelly.
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| Colin Farrell in 'The Penguin.' Macall Polay/HBO |
In the first clip, viewers witness a poignant moment between Oz (Farrell) and Victor (Feliz), as they stand by while Oz’s car burns in the background. Oz reassures Victor, saying, “It’s you and me now, kid, until the end,” before they confront Sal’s (Brown) son in a show of brutal force. The scene escalates with Oz and Victor making a surprise visit to Sal and his wife in prison, setting the stage for an intriguing exchange.
The second sneak peek shifts focus to Sofia (Milioti), who has Johnny (Kelly) chained up in a cold, isolated room. She ruthlessly drenches him with ice-cold water, teasing him with the idea of warmth if he divulges information. Johnny, desperate, begins to reveal painful truths about Sofia's family, hinting at a complicated past involving her parents’ troubled relationship and her mother’s failed attempt to escape.
As the clips wrapped up, the discussion turned to Oz’s leadership moves. Oz is seen rallying his loyal followers, instructing Victor to protect his mother. But when Victor arrives at her home, he finds a chaotic scene. Entering her bedroom, he discovers Mrs. Cobb (O’Connell) surrounded by clutter, mistaking Victor for her son Oz. It’s during this encounter that Victor delivers somber news about the fate of the Falcons, revealing the layers of loyalty and heartbreak that drive these characters.
Farrell, LeFranc, and prosthetic makeup designer Mike Marino elaborated on their approach to evolving the character of Penguin from film to television. Marino expressed his enthusiasm for the challenge, praising Farrell’s dedication to the role and the creative freedom that the series format offered.
He reflected on the transition from the limited screen time in The Batman to the in-depth character development possible in a TV series. Despite Farrell’s love for the role, he openly confessed that the demanding makeup and costume process wore him down over time. “By the end of it, I was bitching and moaning to anyone who would listen that I fucking wanted it to be finished,” Farrell said, humorously capturing his mixed feelings about reprising the role.
The show’s mid-season teaser, which premiered during the NYCC panel, hinted at escalating tensions and deeper character arcs in the upcoming episodes. The Penguin has been a hit with audiences, outpacing nearly all other current HBO series since its debut, except for heavyweights like House of the Dragon and The Last of Us.
During the panel, Farrell and the cast also touched on their characters' motivations, delving into themes of loyalty, ambition, and the psychological complexities of Gotham's criminal world.
Milioti offered insight into her character Sofia Falcone’s motivations, suggesting that her ruthless demeanor is both a result of her upbringing and her father’s belief in her potential. The panelists debated whether her path was driven by nature or nurture, with Milioti hinting that her father’s influence was key to shaping her as a formidable crime boss.
Farrell added that his character, Oz, has always grappled with the pain of not fitting into society’s mold. He described Oz's journey in the series as a tragic one — what should have been his rise to power simultaneously becomes a descent into madness, born from the lifelong suffering he’s endured.
Feliz spoke about the inspiration Oz instills in Victor, viewing him as a father figure who provides both a painful reality check and the promise of a better future. “Money is also an incredibly incentivizing factor when you don’t have enough of it,” Feliz remarked, highlighting how desperation and ambition drive his character’s decisions in this dark, ruthless world.
The conversation expanded to include discussions of previous portrayals of Penguin by actors like Danny DeVito, and the evolution of Gotham's universe through the lens of visionary directors like Christopher Nolan and Tim Burton. LeFranc emphasized her intention to give a fresh take on the character of Sofia Falcone, drawing inspiration from real-life figures like Rosemary Kennedy to add depth and realism to Sofia's struggles for power.
The panelists explored the complex relationship between Oz and his mother, Francis Cobb. Farrell was particularly drawn to the character's psychological intricacies, influenced by his mother’s overbearing yet supportive presence.
O’Connell, who plays Francis, described how her character constantly arms Oz emotionally, turning him into a weapon within Gotham's criminal network. This layered relationship was a significant factor in Farrell’s decision to return to the role in the series, seeing it as an opportunity to explore Oz’s darker, more vulnerable sides.
LeFranc also highlighted the challenges of bringing The Penguin to life amid production hurdles, praising the cast and crew for their dedication. She credited the casting team for their exceptional choices, noting that the actors brought a unique energy to the show, which transformed even its darkest and most twisted moments into compelling television.
The grueling production schedule, compounded by industry strikes, tested everyone’s endurance, but the result was a series that stands out for its gritty storytelling and complex characters.
As the event concluded, Farrell and LeFranc reflected on the future of The Penguin. While the series is currently billed as a limited series, hints of a possible spinoff have emerged, with Farrell expressing a mix of excitement and reluctance at the thought of returning to the role. Despite his reservations, he acknowledged the unique opportunity to further develop the character in ways that a film couldn’t accommodate.
The series, executive produced by Matt Reeves, Dylan Clark, Farrell, LeFranc, Craig Zobel, and Bill Carraro, continues to expand the dark, immersive world of Gotham, promising more twists and turns for fans of the DC universe.
